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Interview with Jason Mraz
American-Statesman: How was your first gig in Mexico City (on Sept. 8)?
Jason Mraz: Oh, there were screaming girls and crying girls and a packed house. It went really well. Someone said it looked like a Menudo concert (laughs).
How has `I’m Yours’ evolved over the years?
I wrote it about five years ago on a sunny afternoon in my home in San Diego. It’s about generosity, giving yourself and time to someone else. At first, I likened it to a nursery rhyme that was too light to put it on my second record. I thought I’d just play it live and maybe my fans would catch on. It eventually became our show closer.
You seem to have a very direct relationship with your audience.
Well, most people go to the office and express themselves through a series of rules and assignments. My listeners give me another way to express. I get to work on my writing or poetry or short stories all because of the listeners.
You also connect through your blog.
Yeah, that strengthens my purpose. A lot of times, I feel artists struggle with the value of their work. There’s a struggle between ego and the spiritual opportunity to connect with people. I enjoy the opportunity to create and to relate to other human beings.
That social consciousness comes up in songs like `Live High.’
Certainly during my last album there were quite a few moments when social consciousness crept into my life. It happened mostly because around that time I was settling into being a homeowner for the first time, caring for my own patch of earth. I was taking notice of how much energy I was consuming and how much waste was coming out of my house.
Does being a vegan play into that?
Well, I’d call myself a vegan fishitarian who’s mostly a raw foodist. It’s a totally personal thing. In my case, it’s from touring so much. Everything in my life changed after I tried eating raw food for 30 days the first time - my mind, my physical appearance, my energy. I realized that food really is my fuel. Once I started to commit to whole foods and natural foods, I was like, “This is great!”
Speaking of touring, you have some Austin guys in the band.
Yeah, we have Carlos Sosa, Fernando Castillo and Reggie Watkins from the Grooveline Horns and Bruce Hughes, who came from Bob Schneider’s Scabs.
The Grooveline Horns are playing at Antone’s after your gig. Any chance you’ll show up?
I love appearing at the Grooveline aftershows! They’ve done quite a few around the country after our shows. I hate to make a promise that I’ll be there, but I’ll say that it’s probably one of my favorite things to do. Usually during the Grooveline shows, I’m like, “Man, I wish my shows were like this!”
Photo by Justin Ruhl
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By Jules
September 15, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
I saw the show last night in Dallas, Austinites, you are in for a real treat. I am still on a Jason “High”!